One here for sure. My wife got nailed by the move to tango on YYZ-SFO during a portion of the year (it seems that non-tourist times have no tango) - booking through the company meant lowest price fare, and no ability to get to flex on a few routings. She would have made E75 if there wasn't the loss of the 50% tango points.

On the other hand, we did a mileage run to MCO to get to E50, because there was no way I wanted her below that with the lounge access, increased baggage, etc. She was 8 out of 14 on the YYZ-SFO eupgrade this year, 6 of 16 as an E50 in 2013. It'll be interesting to see how it goes next year.

Some of the changes hurt everyone like the eupgrade chart, and threshold eupgrade while others changes widen/narrow the gap in benefits between levels.

The gap between 75k and SE has widened after they implemented E-upgrade Add on, Waived YQ on AC long haul redemption, complementary preferred seating on any fare and Zone 1 boarding for SE. So in comparison, gap between 75k and 50k seems narrower.

While the gap between 35k and 50k has widened after they removed worldwide MLL as a select privilege, which makes the *S vs *G distinction even more noticeable.

So to answer OP's question, on a relative level, yes?

Not quite. Weighed my options between WS and AC. Stuck with AC, although trying to bail from my current job to another job (in progress). Looking at the 789, 788, new 777 seating and the incoming 737's, I see the writing on the wall (I only fly in Y), and so i'm trying to bail from aviation all together for a desk job. I'd rather do that then be a FF! :) If I can't successfully bail (knock on wood that this doesn't happen to me), then I will aim for 50K, and nothing more. I sometimes fly a M/B fare and sometimes do an odd MR in order to hit E75K. My hope was zone 1 boarding like United, but since it's not, i'm done with 75K. Are you listening AC? Put 75K's in zone 1 and that'll make it a useful tier. As it is now, pffft. I'll sleep more in my own bed!

Put 75s in zone 1 and maybe an SE or two will bail :p

But Mr. Cow.......I love you!! :D:D:D:D Come for a Penguin hug as Maradori goes on and on about SE > kettle!! :D:D:D

I'm just disappointed that my hat hasn't shipped yet. I have a flight in 9 days, and I need everyone to know who I am.

God dammit. I thought I mailed it Fedex Overnight First. Rest assured, i'm sure its on its way :D:D:D

So are you a hat dealer? I could use a super elite hat too!

I ordered mine on lids.com. I'm not sure if it's going to show up before I leave though - it hasn't shipped yet :(

LOL nice jab there :D :D :D

I want a hat too! :D

Thanks! I thought it was a good jab when I read: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/23983803-post504.html

:):p

I'm in the same boat - probably could have made 75k with some judicious planning, but once I realized the cost savings (and having crossed the 50K threshold), I started booking Tango instead of Flex for my remaining flights. The few benefits thrown at 75k as compared to 50k just didn't make it worthwhile (or could be bought for less than the Tango/Flex price difference).

I will miss the blue card though. The puce? Bronze? Whatever that is? new E50K card isn't really my style, purely from an aesthetic point of view.

so after all that? you want to suffer in AC's 10 across seating 777HD crap AP program? Wow.

I don't plan to ever be on the 777HD, or the revised 10 abreast 777 seating. I don't plan to be flying in 2 years, max.

yet you will keep 50k status.? Penguins do fly.